If you’re craving something that’s the perfect mix of sweet, salty, and utterly irresistible, then this Chocolate Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine moist banana bread studded with melty chocolate chips, drizzled with a creamy peanut butter glaze, and topped with crunchy, sweet candied bacon. It’s kitchen magic on a loaf!

The image shows a loaf cake placed on a metal tray. The cake has two visible layers: the bottom layer is dense and moist with a speckled texture of dark chips inside, light brown in color. The top layer is a smooth, thick, shiny orange frosting that drips slightly down the sides. Small dark chocolate chips and thin pieces of dried fruit decorate the frosting unevenly. In the background, there is a white bowl and a white small dish filled with more dark chocolate chips, all set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m honestly obsessed with this recipe—it feels like the ultimate treat that manages to be both comforting and exciting at the same time. Every time I bake it, the candied bacon steals the show but the peanut buttery sweetness and rich chocolate keep everyone coming back for more.

Unexpected Flavor Combo: Sweet banana bread meets salty, caramelized bacon for a delightful flavor surprise.
Perfect Texture Balance: Soft bread with melty chocolate and crunchy candied bacon bites.
Peanut Butter Glaze: Adds a luscious finish that ties all the flavors together.
Great for Any Occasion: Makes a show-stopping breakfast, snack, or dessert that's easy to share.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before we dive in, make sure you have ripe bananas at their sweetest and all your ingredients fresh and ready to go. And if you’re shopping, look for thick-cut bacon for the best candied texture and a creamy peanut butter that’s smooth enough for the glaze and batter.

Flat lay of a bunch of three large ripe bananas, a small mound of light brown sugar, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small pile of glossy raw bacon slices, a heaping handful of dark chocolate chips, a small white ceramic bowl of creamy peanut butter, a small white ceramic bowl of golden honey, a small white ceramic bowl of powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of vegetable oil, a small white ceramic bowl of full-fat sour cream, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of baking soda, a small white ceramic bowl of salt, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Bacon: I like to use thick-cut for better caramelization and crispy, sweet bites.
Light Brown Sugar: This adds moisture and depth to the candied bacon and bread.
Chocolate Chips or Chopped Chocolate: Gives melty pockets of chocolate that contrast beautifully with banana.
All-Purpose Flour: The base for the bread’s tender crumb.
Baking Soda: Helps the bread rise nice and evenly.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance sweetness and enhance flavor.
Mashed Bananas: Using ripe bananas brings natural sweetness and moistness.
Granulated Sugar: For a little sharp sweetness to balance the smoothness of the bananas.
Vegetable Oil: Keeps the bread tender and moist without overpowering flavors.
Full-Fat Sour Cream: Adds richness and a subtle tang, plus it helps with texture.
Creamy Peanut Butter: A rich nutty flavor that binds the batter and glaze.
Eggs: Essential for structure and a light crumb—room temperature is key!
Vanilla Extract: Brings warmth and depth to the overall flavor profile.
Honey (for glaze): Adds natural sweetness and helps create a smooth, shiny glaze.
Powdered Sugar (for glaze): Makes the glaze sweet and gives it the right texture.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

The beauty of this Chocolate Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe is how easily you can tweak it to fit your taste buds or dietary needs. Feel free to get creative and make this decadent treat your own.

Swap in nuts: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans adds a lovely crunch that pairs beautifully with the chocolate and bacon. I love tossing some toasted pecans into the batter for extra texture!
Nut-free option: For those avoiding nuts, simply swap the peanut butter in both the batter and glaze with sunflower seed butter. It still gives that creamy, nutty flavor while being allergen-friendly.
Seasonal flair: Mix in a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to amp up warm fall vibes, or add a handful of fresh berries for a burst of fruity freshness during summer.
Chocolate alternatives: Feel free to experiment with different chocolate types—dark, semi-sweet, or even white chocolate chips—to customize the sweetness and richness level.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe

The image shows a loaf of cake placed on a silver tray, topped with a thick layer of smooth orange frosting sprinkled with small dark chocolate chips and small pieces of candied fruit. In front of the tray is a white plate holding one thick slice of the cake, showing a dense texture with bits of chocolate and fruit inside. The slice has a thin layer of the same orange frosting on top, with some chocolate chips along the edge. A silver fork lies beside the slice on the plate. To the left of the tray, there is a whole yellow banana and a white bowl filled with candied fruit. A white cloth with blue stripes is used as the base, which itself is set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Slowly Cook the Candied Bacon

Start by cooking 9 to 10 slices of bacon over low heat in a fry pan. Taking it slow helps render out plenty of fat without burning. Once the bacon is cooked, carefully drain out the grease from the pan, then return the bacon slices. Sprinkle half a cup of packed light brown sugar evenly over them and cook on low for about 5 to 6 minutes. Toss occasionally so the sugar dissolves and caramelizes into a shiny, sticky glaze. Remove the bacon with its caramel sauce to a plate and let it cool completely—this allows it to crisp up perfectly. When cooled, chop into bite-sized chunks and set aside.

Step 2: Prep Your Oven and Pan for Success

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan generously with baking spray, then line the bottom with parchment paper. This combo ensures your loaf will come out cleanly and easily after baking—no sticking, no stress!

Step 3: Keep Chocolate Chips From Sinking

Take 1 cup of chocolate chips or chopped chocolate and toss them with 1 tablespoon of flour. This simple step coats the chips and prevents them from sinking to the bottom of your bread while baking, keeping those melty pockets of chocolate evenly distributed throughout every slice.

Step 4: Whisk Dry Ingredients Together

In a large bowl, whisk 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and ⅛ teaspoon salt. This dry mix will activate during baking to help your bread rise just right and have a tender texture.

Step 5: Blend the Wet Ingredients Smoothly

In another large bowl, whisk together 1 cup mashed bananas (about 3 large ripe ones), ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup packed light brown sugar, ½ cup vegetable oil, ½ cup room temperature full-fat sour cream, ½ cup creamy peanut butter, 2 room temperature and lightly beaten eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Whisk until everything is fully combined and the mixture looks smooth and luscious—that’s the base for your moist, flavorful banana bread.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients & Fold in Chocolate

Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, folding gently until no streaks of flour remain. Being gentle helps keep the bread tender instead of dense. Then carefully fold in the flour-coated chocolate chips, spreading them evenly throughout the batter for those delicious chocolaty bites.

Step 7: Bake Until Perfectly Golden

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for about 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs—never wet batter. The aroma will be irresistible, hinting at the rich chocolate, banana, and peanut butter flavors mingling inside.

Step 8: Cool Before Glazing

Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling fully before glazing prevents the glaze from melting too much and becoming runny, keeping your topping intact and beautiful.

Step 9: Make the Peanut Butter Glaze and Assemble

Whisk together ½ cup creamy peanut butter, 2 tablespoons honey, and ¼ cup powdered sugar until smooth and glossy. Pour this luscious glaze over your cooled banana bread, then generously sprinkle the candied bacon chunks and some extra chocolate chips on top. This finishing touch adds a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and rich flavors with a satisfying crunch.

Step 10: Slice, Serve, and Enjoy!

Slice your Chocolate Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe and serve at room temperature. Each bite delivers that irresistible blend of moist banana bread, melty chocolate, creamy peanut butter glaze, and crunchy sweet bacon—pure delight for breakfast or dessert!

Top Tip

Mastering this Chocolate Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe is all about attention to detail and balancing flavors. Here are some tips from my kitchen to yours that really help this decadent treat shine.

Perfect Candied Bacon: Cook the bacon slowly on low heat to render out the fat before caramelizing with brown sugar. This prevents burning and gives you that irresistible sweet-crispy texture.
Keep Chocolate Chips Suspended: Tossing the chocolate chips in a tablespoon of flour before folding them in stops them from sinking to the bottom, so you get melty pockets of chocolate throughout.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your eggs and sour cream are at room temperature. It helps the batter come together smoothly and ensures a tender, moist crumb.
Glaze Timing: Always allow the banana bread to cool completely before glazing. This makes sure your peanut butter glaze stays beautifully thick and doesn’t run off the sides.

How to Serve Chocolate Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe

The image shows a single thick layer of light beige dough with small dark spots spread unevenly in a rectangular white baking dish with colorful flecks. The dough has a smooth but slightly lumpy texture with some visible swirls and ridges across the surface. The dish is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Extra chocolate chips sprinkled on top add a lovely chocolate boost and a beautiful glossy finish. You can also add a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans for added crunch and nutty flavor or a pinch of flaky sea salt to amplify the sweet and salty magic of the candied bacon.

Side Dishes

This banana bread shines on its own, but if you’re serving it for breakfast or brunch, pair it with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a side of fresh berries to cut through the richness. A hot cup of coffee or spiced chai tea also makes the experience complete and cozy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap leftovers tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigeration will keep it fresh for up to one week.

Freezing

You can freeze whole loaves or individual slices. Wrap them well in plastic wrap and then in foil or place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, leave wrapped at room temperature overnight or gently microwave slices until soft.

Reheating

Warm slices in the microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds or pop them in a toaster oven at 300°F for 5 minutes to revive that fresh-baked feeling. This really brings out the flavors of the peanut butter glaze and the candied bacon.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular bacon instead of candied bacon?

Yes, but the candied bacon adds a wonderful sweet and crispy contrast that pairs perfectly with the chocolate and peanut butter flavors. Regular bacon lacks that caramelized sweetness.

How ripe should the bananas be?

The riper the better! Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots; they are naturally sweeter and softer, which helps lock in moisture and flavor.

Can I make this recipe nut-free?

Absolutely! Simply omit the peanut butter and substitute it with sunflower seed butter or another nut-free alternative to keep it safe for those with nut allergies.

How do I know when the banana bread is fully baked?

Insert a toothpick in the center—if it comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs, your bread is done. Avoid opening the oven too often to keep the temperature steady.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe is a true labor of love that brings together sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy all in one slice. The combination of ripe bananas, rich chocolate, and that surprising touch of candied bacon makes it an unforgettable treat. I hope you enjoy the process as much as the delicious results — it’s the kind of recipe that turns any ordinary day into a special occasion. Happy baking!